don't have to put all of the burden on seniors and the middle class while giving a massive, massive tax cut yet again to the wealthiest folks. the president felt very good about his meetings. he a great session with senate republicans yesterday and you saw numerous quotes i think from senate republicans that reflected the fact that it was a good meeting and a constructive meeting and there really is the potential for common ground. but the differences are large and they remain large do get back to your point, when it comes to deficit reduction, it may be that the gab is too wide to reach a deal. the president hopes that's not the case, but we'll see, it's certainly worth having this engagement to try to find common ground. >> why did it take so long? i know you're going to say he's met with them before. but it's commonly accepted, and this is not just conventional wis ddom that dennis mcdonough s made a difference, this is outreach to members whom he's never met before, republicans. >> well i mean the members he hadn't met before or hadn't heard him speak, this is a fourth meeting the p